Check Point says it is 'joined at the hip' with partners

Partners allowed to mix with Check Point's own SEs at annual sales bash for first time

Check Point’s UK boss says the vendor’s decision to open its internal sales bash to partners for the first time shows it is now “joined at the hip” with its channel.

Some 1,000 partner sales staff – including 120 from the UK – will head to Vienna next week for Check Point’s Europe Sales Kick Off event, where they will hear content previously reserved for the security vendor’s internal staff.

Check Point UK & Ireland managing director Keith Bird (pictured) said the move reflects Check Point’s desire to get even closer to partners.

“This year, partner salespeople and SEs will be sitting shoulder to shoulder with Check Point SEs and receiving the same training at the same time,” he said.

“It’s another example of where we very much view the channel as being joined at the hip with us.”

Mark Evans, UK country manager at Check Point partner Integrity Solutions, said the move reflects a broader shift in the vendor’s attitude to the channel, but "should have happened a long time ago".

“We’ve seen a complete change in their partner relations," Evans said.

Jon Busfield, managing director of Check Point partner Cygnia, said: “Getting us over there to mix with all the Check Point sales staff is a great idea.”